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The Artists in Schools program supports projects that integrate community arts resources—artists and professional art organizations—into comprehensive, standards-based arts learning projects for California’s students.

We are proud to be among the 135 arts organizations to receive funding support from the California Arts Council. This award will support our Shadow Theatre Arts Education programs at four partner schools in and around the San Francisco Unified School District during the 2015/2016 school year. ShadowLight's professional teaching artists will continue their multi-week shadow theatre residencies at our partner schools, all of which will culminate in original shadow theatre projects created and performed by participating students. The residencies are part of the partnering schools' arts integration efforts and tailor-designed in collaboration with school faculty.

Over the past three decades, ShadowLight has successfully provided very unique educational programs for professional artists, students and teachers in Bay Area public schools, colleges and universities, inspiring the next generation of creative minds. During each of our residencies, we approach it as collaboration with teachers and students. Not only are we teaching but we are also learning a great deal. As an organization, we take joy and pride in the student performances. We are always overwhelmed and humbled by individual student’s reactions to their experience in the shadow theatre residency. A fifth grade student at Buena Vista/Horace Mann sums it up by writing, “I learned that even though we’re just kids, we can do something pretty big!”

“California Arts Council grants support a wide range of projects that are crafted by each community to reflect their values and needs,” said Donn K. Harris, Chair of the California Arts Council. “It is always exciting to see what creative minds attempt to do when working collaboratively. With an increased state investment, we are able to further spark the powerful growth and prosperity that result from the deep arts engagement provided by our grant programs.”

Founded in 1972 (incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1994) by filmmaker, theatre artist Larry Reed, ShadowLight Productions’ mission is to expose the general public to shadow theater and other art forms. As one of the very few professional shadow theatre companies in the world, we strive to demonstrate a wide spectrum of Shadow Theatre to audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and our arts-in-education program lies at the heart of our mission. www.shadowlight.org

The Mission of the California Arts Council, a state agency, is to advance California through the arts and creativity. The Council is committed to building public will and resources for the arts; fostering accessible arts initiatives that reflect contributions from all of California's diverse populations; serving as a thought leader and champion for the arts; and providing effective and relevant programs and services. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.